People usually talk about aphids like they are already explained. Tiny green bugs. Bad for the roses. Spray them, squish them, move on. That is not wrong. It is just a very small version of the story.
Hemiptera
Learn the real difference between bugs and insects, including what makes a “true bug” unique and why not all insects qualify as bugs.
Guides
Phytocoris roseipennis
Phytocoris roseipennis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1934. The specific epithet "roseipennis" refers to the pinkish or rosy coloration of the wings. Like other members of the genus Phytocoris, it is primarily a plant-feeding insect with occasional predatory behavior on smaller insects. It is found in the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona and Texas.
Phytocoris roseotinctus
Phytocoris roseotinctus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1925. The genus Phytocoris comprises diverse plant-feeding true bugs, with species typically associated with vegetation. This particular species is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits the general mirid characteristics of piercing-sucking mouthparts and plant-associated habits, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published sources.
Phytocoris roseus
Phytocoris roseus is a plant bug species in the family Miridae, first described by Uhler in 1894. It belongs to the large genus Phytocoris, which comprises numerous species of plant-feeding true bugs found across North America. The specific epithet 'roseus' (Latin for 'rosy' or 'pinkish') likely refers to coloration features of this species. As with other mirid plant bugs, it is presumed to be associated with vegetation, though detailed ecological studies remain limited.
Phytocoris rufoscriptus
Phytocoris rufoscriptus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Van Duzee in 1914. It belongs to a large genus of predatory and plant-feeding true bugs. The species has been recorded from California, USA. Like other members of Phytocoris, it likely exhibits a combination of phytophagy and opportunistic predation on small insects.
Phytocoris salicis
Phytocoris salicis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1920. It is a small, typically gray or brown true bug that feeds primarily on plants. The species is known to occasionally prey on smaller insects, a behavior observed in other Phytocoris species. It is attracted to lights at night and has been documented in blacklight surveys in Colorado.
Phytocoris seminotatus
Phytocoris seminotatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1934. The genus Phytocoris comprises numerous small, often inconspicuous plant-feeding bugs, with members typically exhibiting gray or brown coloration. This species is known from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and New Mexico. Like other Phytocoris species, it is primarily a plant-feeder that may occasionally prey on smaller insects.
Phytocoris simulatus
Phytocoris simulatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1928. It belongs to a genus of generally gray or brown plant-feeding insects that occasionally prey on smaller insects. The species has been recorded in western North America, particularly in Colorado and surrounding states.
Phytocoris spicatus
Phytocoris spicatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1920. The genus Phytocoris comprises numerous small, often drably colored mirid bugs that are primarily associated with vegetation. Members of this genus are typically gray or brown and are known to feed on plants, though some have been observed to prey on smaller insects. The species has been recorded in the northeastern United States.
Phytocoris squamosus
Phytocoris squamosus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1934. It is recorded from the western United States including Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and Oregon. As a member of the genus Phytocoris, it shares the general characteristics of being mostly plant-feeding with occasional predation on smaller insects. The species is documented in 46 iNaturalist observations.
Phytocoris stitti
Phytocoris stitti is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1961. The genus Phytocoris is one of the largest genera of plant bugs in North America, with species generally characterized by gray or brown coloration and plant-feeding habits. Like other members of its genus, P. stitti is primarily associated with vegetation and has been documented in the southwestern United States. The species is part of a diverse assemblage of mirid bugs attracted to artificial lights at night.
Phytocoris taxodii
Phytocoris taxodii is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1926. It is a member of the large genus Phytocoris, which contains numerous plant-feeding species. Very little specific information is available for this particular species beyond its original description and basic taxonomic placement.
Phytocoris tenerum
Phytocoris tenerum is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Stonedahl in 1988. The genus Phytocoris comprises numerous small, soft-bodied true bugs, many of which are associated with vegetation. Members of this genus are typically gray or brown in coloration and are primarily plant-feeding, though some species have been observed to prey on smaller insects. This species occurs in western North America.
Phytocoris tenuis
Phytocoris tenuis is a plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Van Duzee in 1920. It belongs to a large genus of mostly plant-feeding true bugs. The species is documented from western North America, with records from California, Nevada, and Utah. As a member of Phytocoris, it is likely associated with herbaceous vegetation, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Phytocoris tibialis
Phytocoris tibialis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Reuter in 1876. The species has a broad distribution across the Americas, with records from the Caribbean, Central America, and North America including the eastern and southern United States. Like other members of the genus Phytocoris, it is primarily associated with vegetation and feeds on plants.
Phytocoris tuberculatus
A small mirid plant bug described by Knight in 1920, known from limited records in the eastern United States. Belongs to the genus Phytocoris, a diverse group of plant bugs characterized by their slender bodies and often cryptic coloration. Specific details of its biology remain poorly documented due to its apparent rarity and limited collection records.
Phytocoris unnamed-a
A plant bug species in the family Miridae, belonging to the large and diverse genus Phytocoris. Members of this genus are typically small, soft-bodied insects associated with vegetation. The specific epithet "unnamed-a" indicates this is an undescribed or provisional species designation, likely used in collections or databases pending formal taxonomic description.
Phytocoris vanduzeei
Phytocoris vanduzeei is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Reuter in 1912. The species occurs in western North America and Middle America, with records from the southwestern United States (California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico) and Mexico including Baja California. As a member of the genus Phytocoris, it is likely associated with vegetation where it feeds on plant sap, though specific host plants and detailed biology remain poorly documented.
Phytocoris vau
Phytocoris vau is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Van Duzee in 1912. The species occurs in western North America and Middle America, with documented records from California and Baja California Norte. As a member of the genus Phytocoris, it belongs to a diverse group of mirid bugs that are primarily associated with vegetation.
Phytocoris venustus
Phytocoris venustus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1923. It belongs to the genus Phytocoris, a diverse group of mirid bugs commonly associated with vegetation. The species is recorded from the eastern and southeastern United States. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with woody or herbaceous plants, though specific host relationships remain poorly documented.
Picumna maculata
Picumna maculata is a species of planthopper in the family Issidae, described by Melichar in 1906. It belongs to the tribe Thioniini within the subfamily Issinae. Like other issid planthoppers, it is characterized by a compact body form and wings held in a tent-like position over the body. The specific epithet 'maculata' suggests a spotted or maculate color pattern, though detailed descriptions of adult morphology remain limited in available sources.
Piesma
ash-grey leaf bugs
Piesma is a genus of small ash-grey leaf bugs in the family Piesmatidae, serving as the type genus of the family. Members are less than 4 mm in length and occur across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The genus is distinguished from the similar genus Parapiesma by a notch in the side margins of the pronotum. Species in this genus are primarily phytophagous and include economically significant pests such as Piesma quadratum, which transmits viral and rickettsia-like pathogens to sugar beet and related crops.
Piezodorus guildinii
Red-banded Stink Bug, Redbanded Stink Bug, Small Green Stink Bug, Alfalfa Bug
Piezodorus guildinii, commonly known as the red-banded stink bug, is a pentatomid stink bug native to the Neotropics that has become a significant agricultural pest in the southern United States since around 2000. It is smaller and more agile than other stink bug pests, with documented resistance to multiple insecticide classes. The species causes substantial economic damage to soybean and other legume crops through sap feeding on seeds, pods, flowers, stems, and leaves, and has been linked to delayed maturity syndrome in soybeans.
Piezogaster
leaf-footed bugs
Piezogaster is a genus of leaf-footed bugs in the family Coreidae, containing at least 30 described species distributed across the New World. Recent taxonomic revision has clarified species boundaries, resurrected P. alternatus from synonymy, and described two new species. Members of this genus are found from the southwestern United States through Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Piezogaster auriculatus
Piezogaster auriculatus is a species of leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, tribe Nematopodini. The species was described by Stål in 1862. A taxonomic revision synonymized Piezogaster scitus with P. auriculatus due to inability to find consistent diagnostic characters separating the two. Distributional data have been updated to exclude previously reported occurrences in New Mexico and Texas; the species is present in Mexico and Central and South America.
Piezogaster calcarator
leaf-footed bug
Piezogaster calcarator is a species of leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae, first described by Fabricius in 1803. A taxonomic revision resurrected P. alternatus (Say) from synonymy under P. calcarator, clarifying that these are distinct species with overlapping ranges in the United States and Mexico. The species is found in North America, where it has been observed congregating on inflorescences of Verbesina alternifolia (yellow ironweed) in dry-mesic loess woodland habitats.
Piezogaster spurcus
leaf-footed bug
Piezogaster spurcus is a leaf-footed bug species in the family Coreidae, first described by Stål in 1862. It belongs to the tribe Nematopodini within the subfamily Coreinae. The species is recorded from Central America and North America, with specific distribution records from Mexico and Arizona. As a member of Coreidae, it possesses the characteristic leaf-like expansions on the hind legs typical of this group of true bugs.
Pilophoropsis brachyptera
Pilophoropsis brachyptera is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Steyskal in 1973. The specific epithet "brachyptera" refers to short wings, a characteristic feature of this species. It belongs to the genus Pilophoropsis, which contains species known for their distinctive morphological adaptations. Very little published information exists on the biology and ecology of this particular species.
Pilophorus brunneus
Pilophorus brunneus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Poppius in 1914. It belongs to a genus known for ant-mimicking morphology. The species has been documented in the eastern United States, with specific records from Louisiana, Maryland, and West Virginia. Like other members of Pilophorus, it likely exhibits morphological adaptations that resemble ants, a trait common in this genus.
Pilophorus clavicornis
Pilophorus clavicornis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Poppius in 1914. It is known from arid regions of western North America, with records from Arizona, California, and Nevada. The species belongs to a genus noted for ant-mimicking morphology and behavior.
Pilophorus furvus
Pilophorus furvus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1923. The species is known from eastern North America, with records from Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Like other members of the genus Pilophorus, it exhibits ant-mimicking morphology. The species has been documented in iNaturalist with limited observations.
Pilophorus gracilis
Pilophorus gracilis is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Uhler in 1895. It is native to North America and has been documented in the eastern United States, with records from states including Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, and West Virginia. As a member of the genus Pilophorus, it belongs to a group of mirid bugs commonly known as thread bugs or moss bugs, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Pilophorus heidemanni
Pilophorus heidemanni is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Poppius in 1914. It belongs to a genus known for ant-mimicking morphology. The species has been recorded from the southeastern United States. Like other members of Pilophorus, it likely exhibits morphological adaptations that resemble ants, though specific details for this species are limited.
Pilophorus juniperi
Pilophorus juniperi is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Knight in 1923. It belongs to a genus known for ant-mimicking morphology and behavior. The species has been documented in eastern and northeastern United States, with specific records from Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Pilophorus walshii
Pilophorus walshii is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, first described by Uhler in 1887. The species is known from eastern North America, with records from Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. It has been documented feeding on Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) foliage. The species has been the subject of life history studies combining field observations with laboratory rearing.
Pinalitus approximatus
Pinalitus approximatus is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, originally described as Deraeocoris approximatus by Stål in 1858. It occurs in North America, with documented records from Alaska, Newfoundland, and West Virginia. As a member of the plant bug family, it likely feeds on plant sap, though specific host associations remain poorly documented.
Pineus
Pineus is a genus of adelgids (family Adelgidae) comprising more than 20 described species. These insects are small, sap-feeding hemipterans specialized on conifer hosts, primarily Pinus (pines) and Picea (spruces). Species exhibit complex life cycles with multiple morphological forms, including winged and wingless generations, and some alternate between two host species. Several species are economically significant as pests of forestry and ornamental plantings.
Pineus similis
Ragged Spruce Gall Adelgid
Pineus similis is a gall-forming adelgid that induces galls on spruce trees (Picea spp.). Originally described as Chermes similis by Gillette in 1907 from blue spruce in Colorado, it was later transferred to genus Pineus by Annand. The species produces winged females that emerge from galls and settle on spruce hosts, with documented preference for white spruce. Wingless females bearing egg clusters occur within galls. It has been recorded on multiple spruce species across North America and has doubtful or rare records in Europe.
Pineus strobi
Pine Bark Adelgid, White Pine Bark Aphid
Pineus strobi is a small, sap-sucking insect in the family Adelgidae, commonly known as the pine bark adelgid or white pine bark aphid. It is a specialist feeder on white pine (Pinus strobus) and related pine species, forming dense colonies on bark and branches. The species has been introduced to regions outside its native range, including central European Russia and the Fergana Valley, where it is considered invasive. Like other adelgids, it possesses complex associations with bacterial endosymbionts that aid in nutritional processing.
Pintalia
Pintalia is a genus of planthoppers in the family Cixiidae, first described by Carl Stål in 1862. The genus contains at least 50 described species distributed across the Americas. Members are small to medium-sized insects with the characteristic morphology of cixiid planthoppers, including a distinct head structure and wing venation pattern.
Pissonotus canadensis
A planthopper species in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. The genus Pissonotus is part of the diverse group of delphacid planthoppers, which are generally associated with grasses and sedges. This species is known from prairie and grassland habitats in central North America.
Pissonotus concolor
Pissonotus concolor is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. It belongs to a genus of small, grass-feeding insects commonly known as delphacid planthoppers. The species is documented from several states in the eastern United States. As with most delphacids, its biology and ecological role remain poorly studied.
Pissonotus dorsalis
Pissonotus dorsalis is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae. It was described by Van Duzee in 1897. The species is distributed across parts of North America, with records from Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, and other regions. As a member of the Delphacidae, it belongs to a family of planthoppers characterized by a distinctive movable spur on the hind tibia.
Pissonotus frontalis
Pissonotus frontalis is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Crawford in 1914. It belongs to a genus of small, delicate insects commonly known as delphacid planthoppers. The species has been recorded in western North America, including California, Oregon, and British Columbia. Like other delphacids, it is likely associated with grassland or wetland habitats where its host plants grow.
Pissonotus niger
Pissonotus niger is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Morgan and Beamer in 1949. It belongs to the genus Pissonotus, a group of small planthoppers characterized by their reduced wings and association with grasses. The species has been recorded in scattered localities across eastern and central North America.
Pissonotus nitens
Pissonotus nitens is a species of delphacid planthopper in the family Delphacidae. It was described by Van Duzee in 1909. The species is distributed across the Caribbean and North America, with records from Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi in the United States. As a member of the planthopper family Delphacidae, it belongs to a group of insects known for their association with grasses and other monocot plants.
Pissonotus paludosus
Pissonotus paludosus is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, first described by Morgan and Beamer in 1949. It belongs to the genus Pissonotus, a group of small delphacid planthoppers found in North America. The species is documented from the southeastern United States, with records from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi. Like other delphacids, it is associated with wetland and marshy habitats, as suggested by its specific epithet "paludosus" (meaning marshy or swampy).
Pissonotus radiolus
Pissonotus radiolus is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Bartlett in 2000. The genus Pissonotus comprises small delphacid planthoppers associated with grasses and sedges. Members of this family are characterized by a movable spur on the hind tibia and are significant pests of cultivated grasses in some regions. This species is known from Ontario and broader North America.
Pissonotus rubrilatus
Pissonotus rubrilatus is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Morgan and Beamer in 1949. It belongs to a genus of small delphacid planthoppers found in North America. The specific epithet 'rubrilatus' refers to reddish lateral coloration. Very few observations or detailed studies of this species have been published.
Pissonotus spooneri
Pissonotus spooneri is a species of planthopper in the family Delphacidae, described by Morgan and Beamer in 1949. It belongs to a genus of small, grass-associated delphacids found primarily in North America. The species is known from scattered records across the eastern and central United States. Like other members of its family, it is likely associated with grassland habitats and feeds on plant phloem.
Plagiognathus brevirostris
Plagiognathus brevirostris is a species of plant bug in the family Miridae, described by Knight in 1923. It belongs to the diverse genus Plagiognathus, which contains numerous small mirid species associated with vegetation. The species is recorded from northeastern North America.